Outboard motor with pre-select tilt lock

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an outboard motor including means connecting a swivel bracket and a transom bracket at a point remote from the horizontal tilt axis therebetween and operative in response to pivotal movement of the swivel bracket to a fully elevated position to selectively afford either return of the swivel bracket to normal operating position under the influence of gravity or retention of the swivel bracket in a raised position. The means for selectively affording return or retention of the swivel bracket includes a follower link and a stop link, together with means for selectively biasing the stop link for movement relative to the follower link when the swivel bracket is in the fully elevated position so as to alternatively prevent entry of a stud extending from the swivel bracket into a detent portion of a slot in the stop link to thereby afford return to a normal operating position under the influence of gravity, or to alternatively cause entry of the stud into the slot detent portion to releasably retain the swivel bracket in the raised position against return to normal operation position.

United States Patent Hagen May 30, 1972 [54] OUTBOARD MQTOR WITH PRE- Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz I SELECT TILT LOCK Attorney-Robert E. Clemency, John W. Michael, Germ D. Foster, Bayard H. Michael, Paul R. Puerner, Joseph A. [72] Inventor: Mucus Hagen Kenosha, Wis Gemignani, Andrew 0. Riteris and Spencer B. Michael [73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation, Wau- [57] ABSTRACT kegan In. Disclosed herein is an outboard motor including means con- Filedi 1970 necting a swivel bracket and a transom bracket at a point [21] AppL NO; 88,585 remote from the horizontal tilt axis therebetween and operative in response to pivotal movement of the swivel bracket to a fully elevated position to selectively afford either return of the swivel bracket to normal operating position under the in- 52] 11.8. Cl ..248/4, 248/293 fluencc of gravity or retention of the Swivel bracket in a raised [51] f Cl "Fl6m 13/02 position. The means for selectively affording return or reten- [58] Field ofSearch ..248/4, 291, 293, 294 on of the Swivel bracket includes a follower link and a Stop link, together with means for selectively biasing the stop link [56] References Cited for movement relative to the follower link when the swivel bracket is in the fully elevated position so as to alternatively UNITED STATES PATENTS prevent entry of a stud extending from the swivel bracket into a detent portion of a slot in the stop link to thereby afford "248/4 return to a normal operating position under the influence of 2972'977 2/1961 Hausmann gravity, or to alternatively cause entry of the stud into the slot 3571:2393 3/1968 Blanchard ..248/4 detent Pmio" releasably the Swivel bracke raised position against return to normal operation position.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED MAY 30 I972 sum 1 or 2 Jamil/02' Ware? A! ay? mz OUTBOARD MOTOR WITI-I PRE-SELECT TILT LOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, outboard motors have been provided with arrangements for selectively retaining the swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit in a raised position with the propeller located generally above the bottom of the boat hull so as to accommodate, for instance, changing of the propeller or transportation over the road. In the past, such arrangements have included a lever or bracket which either automati cally fell in place or had to be manually placed in position when the propulsion unit was slightly above the raised position, i.e., in a fully elevated position. In order to return the propulsion unit to a lowered position after the propulsion unit was retained in raised position, it was necessary to simultaneously lift the motor slightly from the raised position to the fully elevated position, and, at the same time, to displace the lever or bracket to a position afiording return propulsion unit movement to the normal operating position.

Such simultaneous action on the part of the user was often quite difiicult due to the weight of the propulsion unit and the fact that the bracket or lever was generally located underneath various components in an area which was not readily accessible and difficult to reach when simultaneously lifting the motor as was necessary to release the lever or bracket.

One prior arrangement for releasably retaining an outboard motor in elevated position is disclosed in the Blanchard US. Pat. No. 3,371,893 issued Mar. 5, 1968.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided an arrangement for selectively providing for retention of the propulsion unit and connected swivel bracket of an outboard motor in a raised position or for selectively providing for return from a fully elevated position to a normal operating position under the influence of gravity.

The invention provides a linkage which can be pre-set to afford either retention of a swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit in raised position or return to normal operating position subsequent to any amount of pivotal movement toward and to a fully elevated position. In addition, the invention provides a linkage which can be pre-set so as to retain the propulsion unit in raised position indefinitely but which will permit return movement incident to slight upward movement to a fully elevated position from the raised position. Thus, the invention permits the operator to preselect the mode of operation of the linkage and to use two hands when lifting the propulsion unit to the fully elevated position either from the raised position or the normal operating position.

In accordance with the invention, the linkage includes a first or follower link which is pivotally connected between the swivel bracket and the transom bracket and a second or stop link which is biased by selectively operable means to either of a position affording free return of the swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit to the normal operating position or to a position operable to retain the swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit in the raised position. The means for biasing the stop link relative to the follower link comprises the inclusion on the stop link of a pair of spaced resilient members or tines which cooperate with a cross pin which is engaged with the spaced resilient members and which has a length greater than the distance between the resilient members when relaxed so as to provide an ofi-center bias to the position of the cross pin. In addition, the biasing means includes provision for selective engagement with the follower link by the cross pin, when biased by the resilient members in either of two positions, for reaction against the follower link so as to selectively urge the stop link in opposite rotative directions relative to the follower link and thereby to pre-set the linkage for either return to normal operating position or retention in raised position of the swivel bracket and connected propulsion unit.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a linkage which can be pre-set to afford either free return to nonnal operating position or retention in raised position of a marine propulsion unit and connected swivel bracket.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a linkage which can be pre-set for a particular mode of operation so as to permit the operator to employ both hands when lifting an outboard motor propulsion unit to a fully elevated position from either the normal operating position or the raised position.

Another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an outboard motor including a linkage which can be pre-set to afford return or retention of the marine propulsion unit while permitting the operator to raise the propulsion unit with both hands.

Still another of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of an outboard motor including a linkage such as referred to above, which outboard motor and linkage can be easily and economically manufactured and which will provide reliable service over a long and useful life.

Another principal object of the invention is the prevention of unintentionally retaining the marine propulsion unit in the fully raised position after striking an object with resultant loss of control.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a marine propulsion device embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the propulsion unit in raised position.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partially broken away and in section, of various of the components of the invention when viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of the components shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from above.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of various of the components of the invention when in one condition.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 showing various of the components of the invention when in a second condition.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of various components in accordance with the invention.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is an outboard motor 11 which conventionally includes a stern or transom bracket 13 adapted to be attached to a fragmentarily illustrated boat transom 17, together with a swivel bracket 19 which is connected to the transom bracket 17 for pivotal swinging movement about a horizontal axis by means in the form of a tilt pin 21. The swivel bracket 19 supports a propulsion unit 23 for steering movement about an axis transverse to the tilt axis and is movable, together with the propulsion unit 23, between a normal operating position and a fully elevated position located just above a raised propulsion unit support position in which the propulsion unit 23 is supported with the propeller (not shown) located near to or above the bottom of the boat hull.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided means connecting the swivel bracket 19 and the transom bracket 13 at locations remote from the tilt pin 21 for preselecting operation to alternately afford free return of the swivel bracket I to the normal operating position from the fully elevated position in response to the action of gravity and retention of the swivel bracket 19 in the raised position against the action of gravity.

While various constructions can be employed within the scope of the invention, in the disclosed construction, the means for selectively affording free return or retention in the raised position comprises a linkage 29 including a first or follower link or member 31 and a second or stop link or member 33 which are supported for pivotal movement relative to the transom bracket 13 about a fixed axis 37. The follower and stop links 31 and 33 each include respective slots 39 and 41 which extend radially from the fixed axis 37 and which receive a stud 43 extending from the swivel bracket 19 to thereby afford pivotal as well as translatory movement of the links 31 and 33 relative to the swivel bracket 19.

In addition, the means for selectively affording return or retention of the swivel bracket 19 in raised position includes the formation of the slot 41 in the stop link 33 with a detent portion 47 which extends arcuately and radially inwardly with respect to the fixed axis 37, together with means for selectively biasing the stop link 33 in opposite rotative directions about the fixed axis 37 and relative to the follower link 31 to afford selective alignment of the detent slot portion 47 with the slot 39 in the follower link 31 so as to provide retention of the swivel bracket 19 in raised position and to afford selective alignment of the radial extent of the slot 41 in the stop link 33 with the slot 39 in the follower link 31 so as to permit free return of the swivel bracket 19 and connected propulsion unit 23 to normal operating position under the influence of gravity.

More particularly, the follower link 31 comprises an elongated member having a main portion 51 which includes the radially extending slot 39, together with a U-shaped end portion 53 formed by two spaced U-shaped strips or straps 57 which extend from the main portion 51 and which, at their outer ends, are connected by a bridge part 59 having a semicylindrical edge 61 which merges into the adjacent facing parallel edges 63 of the strips 57.

The stop link 33 comprises an elongated member having a flat main part 71 including the slot 41 which comprises a radially extending main portion 73 and the detent portion 47 which extends arcuately and slightly radially inwardly with respect to the fixed axis from the outermost end of the radially extending main portion 73. Extending from the main link part 71 is a tongue 77 which is bent out of the plane of the main part 71 and which includes a terminal portion 79 which is bent into parallel spaced relation to the main part 71. Included in the terminal portion 79 is a circular aperture 81 having an axis coincident with the fixed axis 37 of the pivotal movement of the stop link 33 relative to the transom bracket 13.

Also extending from the main part 71 of the stop link 33 and in general co-planar relation thereto and in spaced relation to the sides of the tongue 77 are a pair of spaced spring parts or tines 83 which form a part of the means for selectively biasing the stop link 33 for opposite rotative movement relative to the follower link 31.

When assembled, the main part 71 of the stop link 33 lies against the main portion 51 of the follower link 31 with the semi-cylindrical edge 61 of the follower link 31 generally in register with the aperture 81 of the stop link 33 and with the U-shaped end portion 53 of the follower link 31 extending between the tines 83 and with the bridge part 59 of the follower link 31 located in the space between the tines 83 and the tongue 77 of the stop link 33.

In addition to the tines 83, the means for selectively biasing the stop link 33 in opposite rotative directions relative to the follower link 31 includes the straps 57 of the follower link 31 and a cross pin 89 which extends between the tines 83 from an operating shaft 91 which is pivotally mounted in the transom bracket 13 and projects through the aperture 81 to provide the fixed axis 37 about which both the follower and stop links 31 and 33 are pivotable. The cross pin 89 has a length which is greater than the distance between the tines 83 when in relaxed condition. Accordingly, engagement of the tines 83 with the cross pin 89 serves to selectively urge the cross pin 89 and the shaft 91 in opposite rotative directions depending upon the arrangement of the engagement of the cross pin 89 with the tines 83. in turn, depending upon the location of the cross pin 89 relative to the tines 83 and the consequent rotational bias of the cross pin 89, one or the other of the end portions of the cross pin 89 engages one or the other of the straps 57 so as to selectively urge the stop link 33 in one or the other opposite rotative directions relative to the follower link 31.

More particularly, when the cross pin 89 is in the position shown in FIG. 6, the desire of the tines 83 to move toward one another causes the stop link 33 to be biased in the clockwise direction relative to the follower link 31 so as to permit alignment of the detent portion 47 of the stop link slot 41 with the slot 39 of the follower link 31 and thereby, in response to movement of the swivel bracket 19 to its fully elevated position, to cause automatic retention of the swivel bracket 19 and connected propulsion unit 23 in the raised position upon release of the force elevating the propulsion unit and slight downward movement of the swivel bracket until engagement of the stud 43 in the detent portion 47 supports the weight of the propulsion unit 23.

When the cross pin 89 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the desire of the tines 83 to move toward one another causes the stop link 33 to be biased in the counterclockwise direction relative to the follower link 31 so as to permit alignment of the main portion 73 of the stop link slot 41 with the slot 39 of the follower link 31 and thereby to permit free return of the swivel bracket 19 and connected propulsion unit 23 under the influence of gravity from the fully elevated position to the normal operating position.

In order to facilitate selective displacement of the cross pin 89 between its two alternate positions relative to the tines 83, the shaft 91 is provided with a handle 93.

Means are also provided for limiting axial movement of the shaft 91 so as to retain the components in proper relation to each other. In this regard, the outer end of the shaft 91 supporting the handle 93 includes a shoulder 97 which bears against one side of the stern bracket 13 while the cross pin 89 engages the end portion 53 of the follower link 31 to retain between the cross pin 89 and the adjacent side of the stern bracket 13 both the tongue 77 ofthe stop link 33 and the bridge part 59 of the follower link 31.

It should be noted that the ends of the cross pin 89 also cooperate with the straps 57 to cause the follower link 31 to move pivotally with respect to the axis 37 of the operating shaft 91. In addition, it should be noted that the follower link 31 operates as a slave in response to pivotal movement of the swivel bracket 19 relative to the transom bracket 13, Le, the position of the follower link 31 is always predetermined depending upon the position of the swivel bracket 19 relative to the transom bracket 13. However, when the stud 43 extending from the swivel bracket 19 is at the outermost end of the slot 41 in the stop link 33, the stop link 33 is movable relative to the follower link 31 and relative to the swivel bracket 19 in accordance with the bias set up through the action of the tines 83 and the cross pin 89.

In operation, when the cross pin 89 is set in the position shown in FIG. 5, the main portion 73 of the stop link slot 41 is retained in alignment with the slot 39 in the follower link 31 and therefor the swivel bracket 19 is free to move upwardly and downwardly between the normal operating and the fully elevated positions without restraint. However, when the operating shaft 91 is shifted to locate the cross pin 89 in the position shown in FIG. 6, the stop link 33 is biased to afford movement of the detent slot portion 47 into alignment with the slot 39 of the follower link 31, Thus, when the swivel bracket 79 approaches the fully elevated position and the stud 43 moves to the outermost end of the slot 41 in the stop link 33, the bias provided by engagement of the tines 83 with the cross pin 89 serves to swing the stop link 33 so as to align the detent slot portion 47 with the slot 39 in the follower link 31 and thereby to permit entry of the stud 43 into the detent slot portion 47. Upon release of the force which elevated the swivel bracket 19 to the fully elevated position, such entry of the stud 43 into the detent slot portion 47 will permit slight lowering of the swivel bracket 19 and propulsion unit 23 to the raised position and consequent cooking of the stop link 33 to provide for retention of the swivel bracket 19 and propulsion unit 23 in the raised position.

When it is desired to return the swivel bracket 19 and accompanying propulsion unit 23 to the normal operating position, the handle 93 of the operating shaft 91 can be grasped to rotate the shaft 91 to locate the cross pin 89 in the position shown in FIG. 5. Such positioning, by itself, will not permit downward swinging movement of the swivel bracket 19 because of the cocked engagement of the stud 43 in the detent slot portion 47 of the stop link 33. However, upon slight elevation of the swivel bracket 19 from the raised position to the fully elevated position, the stop link 33 swings slightly, thereby releasing the weight of the swivel bracket 19 and propulsion unit 23 from the stop link 33 and thereby also affording, under the action of the bias provided by the cross pin 89 and tines 83 when in the position shown in FIG. 5, movement of the stop link 33 to the position affording alignment of the main portion 73 of the stop link slot 41 with the slot 39 in the follower link 31. Free return movement of the swivel bracket 19 to the normal operating position is then permitted.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that when the operating shaft 91 is positioned to locate the cross pin 89 as shown in FIG. 6, movement of the swivel bracket 19 to the elevated position will permit automatic retention of the swivel bracket 19 in the raised position when the force raising the swivel bracket is discontinued. Subsequent displacement of the operating shaft 91 to locate the cross pin in the position shown in FIG. 5 will not, by itself, automatically permit return of the swivel bracket 19 to the lower normal operating position but requires initial slight lifting to unlock the stud 43 from the detent slot portion 47 of the stop link 33. Thus, the operator may use both hands on the propulsion unit during the raising and lowering operations and need not employ one hand to operate mechanisms for either retaining the swivel bracket 19 in elevated position or permitting return of the swivel bracket 19 from the raised position to the normal operating position.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to a boat transom, a swivel bracket adapted to support a propulsion unit for steering movement relative to said swivel bracket and connected to said transom bracket about a generally horizontal axis for pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket and relative to a normal operating position, and means connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket remote from said horizontal axis for retaining said swivel bracket in a position raised with respect to said normal operating position and for selectively permitting and preventing such retention.

2. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes first and second links connected to said swivel bracket and said transom bracket and means for alternatively biasing said second link relative to said first link between alternate positions affording retention of said swivel bracket in said raised position and return of said swivel bracket to the normal operating position.

3. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means biasing said first and second links relative to each other comprises spaced resilient second link portions, a cross pin extending with the ends thereof in position for engagement with said spaced resilient portions, said cross pin having a length between the ends thereof greater than the distance between the spaced resilient portions when in relaxed condition, and means on said first link engaged by said cross pin in response to displacement of said cross pin induced by said second link to selectively urge said second link toward said alternate positions.

4. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a first link mounted for pivotal movement about an axis fixed relative to said transom bracket in response to pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket, means connecting said first link and said swivel bracket to afford swinging movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket and including a stud on said swivel bracket and a slot in said first link receiving said stud, a second link mounted for pivotal movement about said axis fixed relative to said transom bracket in response to pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket, said second link including a slot having a main portion extending radially of said fixed axis and a detent portion extending from the radially outermost end of said slot main portion, said slot also receiving said stud, and means for selectively biasing said second link relative to said first link to prevent entry of said stud into said slot detent portion to thereby afford return to normal operating position under the influence of gravity and to cause entry of said stud into said detent portion to releasably retain said swivel bracket against return to normal operating position.

5. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means biasing said links relative to each other comprises a shaft rotatable about a fixed axis, a cross pin extending from said shaft, spaced resilient second link portions extending in position for engagement with the ends of said cross pin, and when relaxed, being spaced at a distance less than the distance between the ends of said cross pin, whereby to selectively urge rotation of said shaft in opposite rotative directions, and means on said first link engaged by said cross pin in response to rotation of said cross pin induced by said second link to selectively urge said second link toward and away from a position aligning said detent portion with said first link slot. 

1. An outboard motor comprising a transom bracket adapted to be fixed to a boat transom, a swivel bracket adapted to support a propulsion unit for steering movement relative to said swivel bracket and connected to said transom bracket about a generally horizontal axis for pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket and relative to a normal operating position, and means connecting said swivel bracket and said transom bracket remote from said horizontal axis for retaining said swivel bracket in a position raised with respect to said normal operating position and for selectively permitting and preventing such retention.
 2. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes first and second links connected to said swivel bracket and said transom bracket and means for alternatively biasing said second link relative to said first link between alternate positions affording retention of said swivel bracket in said raised position and return of said swivel bracket to the normal operating position.
 3. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means biasing said first and second links relative to each other comprises spaced resilient second link portions, a cross pin extending with the ends thereof in position for engagement with said spaced resilient portions, said cross pin having a length between the ends thereof greater than the distance between the spaced resilient portions when in relaxed condition, and means on said first link engaged by said cross pin in response to displacement of said cross pin induced by said second link to selectively urge said second link toward said alternate positions.
 4. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a first link mounted for pivotal movement about an axis fixed relative to said transom bracket in response to pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket, means connecting said first link and said swivel bracket to afford swinging movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket and including a stud on said swivel bracket and a slot in said first link receiving said stud, a second link mounted for pivotal movement about said axis fixed relative to said transom bracket in response to pivotal movement of said swivel bracket relative to said transom bracket, said second link including a slot having a main portion extending radially of said fixed axis and a detent portion extending from the radially outermost end of said slot main portion, said slot also receiving said stud, and means for selectively biasing said second link relative to said first link to prevent entry of said stud into said slot detent portion to thereby afford return to normal operating position under the influence of gravity and to cause entry of said stud into said detent portion to releasably retain said swivel bracket against return to normal operating position.
 5. An outboard motor in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means biasing said links relative to each other comprises a shaft rotatable about a fixed axis, a cross pin extending from said shaft, spaced resilient second link portions extending in position for engagement with the ends of said cross pin, and when relaxed, being spaced at a distance less than the distance between the ends of said cross pin, whereby to selectively urge rotation of said shaft in opposite rotative directions, and means on said first link engaged by saiD cross pin in response to rotation of said cross pin induced by said second link to selectively urge said second link toward and away from a position aligning said detent portion with said first link slot. 